A group of 14 students from Solihull College & University Centre, enrolled in the Computing for England HND program with a specialisation in Cyber Security, recently visited the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) Hub. The aim of the visit was to explore and develop prototypes of emerging technologies.
The visit was part of the students ’47 Emerging Technologies’ module. The visit to GBSIoT Hubr aimed to provide the students with practical insights into the ever-evolving world of technology.
The session at GBSIoT covered various aspects of emerging technologies, including:
- Role and Purpose: Understanding the roles and purposes of emerging technologies in the contemporary world.
- Terminology: Familiarizing themselves with the terminology associated with emerging technologies.
- Variety of Emerging Technologies: Exploring different categories of emerging technologies such as educational technology, information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive science, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
- Historical Context: Studying the history and current trends of emerging technologies.
- Characteristics: Analysing the defining characteristics of emerging technologies and how they differ from established technologies.
- Advantages and Risks: Examining the advantages and risks of emerging technologies, including efficiency gains, data security, ethical and legal concerns, and potential biases.
- Impact and Disruption: Exploring the impact of emerging technologies in comparison to disruptive technologies.
The visit went beyond theory and offered students a chance to work on practical aspects, including:
- Needs Analysis: Conducting an analysis to understand end-user requirements
- Prototype Development: Creating initial prototypes based on end-user needs.
- Iteration and Feedback: Continuously refining their prototypes based on user feedback and testing.
Student and Staff Feedback:
- One student mentioned, “The visit was well-organized, and I gained valuable knowledge.”
- Another student described GBSIoT Hub as “a conducive learning environment with a promising future.”
- The feedback about student engagement was positive, with a comment that “student engagement was satisfactory.”
- The visit to GBSIoT Hub was also noted to “encourage deeper learning and study.”
This experience equipped the students with practical skills and a deeper understanding of emerging technologies. As the technological landscape evolves, this visit ensures that the next generation of computing and cybersecurity professionals are prepared to meet future challenges.
Solihull College’s leadership in the GBSIoT partnership provides unique opportunities like this to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. This visit not only allowed these students to develop prototypes but also ensured they are well-equipped to contribute to the ever-evolving field of technology and cybersecurity.
For these students, their visit to GBSIoT Hub marked a step forward in their technological education, helping them make meaningful contributions in the world of emerging technologies and cyber security.
